Our Staff
Our team recognizes that we are shepherds and desire to devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the Word. Our passion and goal is to equip the believers for the work of the ministry until we all attain maturity in the fullness of Christ.
Ruth VanderSande, Pastor
Pastor Ruth was born in Goshen, IN to Rev. Dennis and Dr. Sherri Irish. In 2017 she married her husband Elijah and later they welcomed two children, Lily and Finley. She graduated from Spring Arbor University with a Bachelors in Pastoral Ministry in 2015. In 2018 she graduated from Asbury Theological Seminary with an MDIV. Ruth was then ordained as an elder in the United Methodist church in 2022. Prior to coming to Flushing UMC she has served at Macon UMC, Britton Grace UMC and Midland First UMC.
Email: pastor@flushingumc.org
Rose Dessinger, Office Manager
Rose has a background of bookkeeping and computers and as an office manager for 15 years. She has been a member of Flushing United Methodist church since 2009 and currently serves as a Stephen Ministry Leader, choir member and UMW member. She was born in Rochester, New York and moved to Flushing in 2000 to be married to her husband, Bill. Together, they have owned a property preservation company in the mortgage industry for 15 years.
Email: office@flushingumc.org
Melissa Whalen, Christian Education Director
Melissa has been a member of Flushing United Methodist Church for over 25 years. She graduated from Flushing High School and attended the University of Michigan, graduating with a BS in elementary education. She majored in fine arts and minored in social studies. She has been a teacher in Corunna for the past 16 years, teaching fine arts, third grade and is currently teaching fourth grade.
Melissa lives in Flushing with her husband, Travis, their two children, and dog, Tully Lu.
Email Melissa:
Marlene Cooper, Custodian
Marlene has been a member of Flushing United Methodist Church for 7 years. She is a recent retiree and now works as our part time custodian. Marlene is a mother of 3 boys and 8 grandchildren. She also serves our church as the Faith In Action Team Chairman where she not only serves locally but also has gone on a mission trip.
